Press Release JMI Teaching and Non-Teaching Staff Strongly Condemn Objectionable Slogans on Campus Walls; University Shifts to Online Mode New Delhi, October 24, 2026 In a significant development amid week-long efforts by a seven-member high-level committee of university professors, constituted on October 18, 2026, to mediate with students protesting for elections to the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union (JMISU); over 1,500 teaching and non-teaching staff of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) along with the Vice-Chancellor of JMI, Prof. Mazhar Asif and Registrar of JMI, Prof. Md. Mahtab Alam Rizvi convened a meeting this morning at the university’s Ansari Auditorium lawns to discuss the way forward. The meeting followed four rounds of talks and an appeal issued by the committee last night urging the students to call off their protests. Expressing dismay over incidents of vandalism and the defacement of campus walls with highly objectionable slogans, JMI faculty members and staff asserted that such actions undermined the academic atmosphere and the dignity of an institution with a distinguished 106-year legacy. The gathering unanimously adopted two resolutions: First, the employees resolved to urge the protesters to vacate the protest site and call off their agitation to restore peace and normalcy on campus, particularly at the Ghalib statue lawns, which had been illegally occupied by the protesting students despite Gate No. 18 being the designated protest site at JMI. Second, faculty and staff resolved to repaint the defaced walls and cover slogans they described as highly condemnable and detrimental to the nation’s integrity, security and sovereignty. They warned that such slogans could cause lasting and irreversible damage to JMI’s reputation and standing. They also expressed shock and disapproval at the falsehoods and misinformation being circulated by students on social media, which could potentially damage the institution and its reputation. The Vice-Chancellor of JMI, Prof. Mazhar Asif, and the Registrar of JMI, Prof. Md. Mahtab Alam Rizvi, expressed serious concern that the defacement of university property and the writing of objectionable slogans threatening the country’s integrity and sovereignty could damage JMI’s standing and adversely affect the credibility of its students, potentially undermining future employment and placement prospects, as well as students’ higher education opportunities. Following the unanimous adoption of the two resolutions, the teaching and non-teaching staff of JMI marched from the Ansari Auditorium lawns, passing through Gate No. 13 and crossing the main road to reach Gate No. 7. After two hours of efforts to persuade the students to call off the protest and restore normalcy on campus, the students continued chanting slogans, shouting that the faculty should “go back” and suddenly began pushing security guards, staff and teachers, refusing to heed to repeated appeals from senior faculty members, even after their demands had been met earlier this week. Eventually, the teachers and staff withdrew from the protest site and returned to the Ansari Auditorium. Taking cognizance of the day’s developments, the administration was compelled to issue a notification announcing that classes across all courses would be conducted online with immediate effect. The decision was taken in view of the prevailing situation and to ensure the safety and security of the university’s bona fide students. ---